NFL
By: Steve Rogers
Another week in the NFL has come and gone, and by little surprise, the Minnesota Vikings held on and survived yet another fourth quarter down to the final seconds, one score nail bitter. The Vikings managed to hang on for a 27-22 win over the New York Jets. That tells us a few things. First, the Vikings improve to 9-0 in these one-score games. Next, they went undefeated, 4-0, against the AFC East. Thirdly, The Vikings are one of two teams with ten or more wins. The Vikings sit atop the NFC North with a 10-2 record. So far, they’re 3-0 in their division. They have a huge five-game lead over the Detroit Lions. With five games remaining, the Vikings have a one-game magic number of locking up the North. That game happens this Sunday when they head to the motor city to face the Lions.
Detroit Lions
The Lions have been an interesting story this year. For starters, they have one of the top-scoring offenses in the league. However, they have been unable to win more than five games. Wide receiver Amon Ra-Saint Brown has become their number-one go-to guy. He seems like he’s heading to his first of many pro bowls this year. Possibly their next great wide receiver (who they drafted with the 12th pick this year after trading for it with the Vikings) Rookie Jameson Williams is going to start the first game of his career against the Vikings. He has been recovering from ACL surgery since January. On the other side, the Vikings drafted Luis Cine who has landed on IR after breaking his leg back in week four.
The quarterback responsible for getting these receivers the ball is Jared Goff. Goff is having a stellar year too. In fact, his numbers are slightly better than Kirk Cousins. Goff has thrown for 3022 yards and 19 touchdowns with 7 interceptions. Cousins has thrown for 2933 yds,18 TD, and 9 ints. Goff has 90 more yards one more td and one fewer int. Another reason to be optimistic if you’re a Lions fan is the success of running back Jamaal Williams who has rushed for 769 yards (13th) but more importantly, he has found the end zone 14 times which leads the league. This Loins offense is coming together and can score points with the best of them. However, this defense is giving up more than that still. The offense has scored 315 points while the defense has given up 324. A difference of -9. This team is starting to find its way with Dan Campbell as the head coach.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings continued their narrative of winning close one-score games. A perfect 9-0 in said games now on the year. With a 10-2 overall record the Vikings can close up the NFC North division this Sunday, December 11, 2022, against the Lions who are in second place at 5-7 with either a win or a tie. It really is incredible how the Vikings keep winning no matter the odds, no matter the circumstances, the situation, or the expectation. Yet, this team continues to be scrutinized second-guessed, and written off. Well here’s the reality two-thirds of the way thru the year at home this team is 6-1. On the road, they’re 4-1. In the division, they’re 3-0. Overall in the Conference, they’re 6-2.
In another inner division storyline plot twist and another trade between these two teams, this one at the trade deadline where the Vikings acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson. Has been immediately impactful for the Vikings and Hockenson. Over the last five games, Hockenson is tied for the most catches by a tight end 30. Almost half of those have been first downs 14. Which is good for the second most in the league over that span. Hockenson has established himself as a viable secondary option to Justin Jefferson for Kirk Cousins and this Kevin O’Connell offense. Now he has the opportunity to beat his former team for the first time. Along with his inside knowledge of how and what the Lions are running schematically will be a key factor in this weeks game.
My Prediction
As much as I want to see and say this will finally be the game where the Vikings come out and blow out a team 35 to 10. I don’t think it will be this game. I think this will be yet another high blood pressure one score end of the game sweat it till the last-second thriller. The Vikings have scored 289 points and given up 279. That’s good for a plus 10 margin. Combine that with the Lions -9 and that’s a 19-point difference. If the Vikings can score points in the third quarter then maybe they can cruise by 10 or more. Since that has been a problem all year then I think the game will come down to the Lions being up 27- 24 late in the 4th quarter and Kirk Cousins executes another flawless game-winning drive and the dagger game-winning touchdown strike to tight end T.J. Hockenson for the 31-27 win! Plus that will put the Vikings in the playoffs as a division champ and in firm control of the 2 seed and their own destiny.
